"Means a lot, very emotional."
India defeated South Africa by seven runs in a T20 World Cup final that was full of drama.
In what was India’s second T20 World Cup victory, it was a long time coming given that the first T20 title win came in the inaugural tournament in 2007.
Taking place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, India elected to bat first.
Rohit Sharma’s side got off to a rocky start.
The powerplay belonged to South Africa as Keshav Maharaj removed Rohit Sharma (9) and Rishabh Pant (0) and Kagiso Rabada had Suryakumar Yadav (3) caught at fine leg to leave India rocked at 45 for three.
A partnership worth 72 off 54 balls from Virat Kohli and Axar Patel (47 off 31) rescued the innings before the latter was run out brilliantly by Quinton de Kock.
Kohli’s return to form could not have come at a better time as he scored 76 off 59 balls.
A fine cameo from Shivam Dube helped India post 176-7, the highest total in a final.
India took advantage of the powerplay as Jasprit Bumrah bowled Reeza Hendricks (4) with an excellent delivery and Arshdeep Singh had Aiden Markram (4) caught behind.
South Africa were 42 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.
South Africa kept in touch with the run rate but Axar Patel bowled Tristan Stubbs to break his partnership of 58 with de Kock.
A ball after hitting a six in the same area, de Kock (39) holed out to fine leg off the bowling of Arshdeep Singh.
Heinrich Klaasen, who reached his 50 from 23 balls, took control of the chase by taking 24 off Axar’s final over, meaning they needed 30 off 30 balls.
A Hardik Pandya slower ball brought an end to Klaasen’s magnificent knock to renew India’s hope of World Cup glory.
This was further enhanced when more brilliance from Bumrah bowled Marco Jansen out to tip the game in India’s favour again.
David Miller, who needed 16 off the final over, was caught exceptionally by Yadav on the first ball of the final over to all but win the game for his team.
The final ball was just a formality as India ended their 13-year wait.
After the match, Hardik Pandya said:
“Means a lot, very emotional. We’ve been working hard. Today was a day where we did what the whole nation wanted.
“It’s so special. Things have been very unfair over the last six months but I believed if I worked hard I can shine through.
“It was a dream to win and to get an opportunity like this is everything.
“We always believed we could do it. Stayed calm and let the pressure go to them.
“Those last five overs changed everything. It’s about time we got it.”
“I knew pressure wouldn’t help me in the final over. It’s been wonderful and really enjoyed it.
“Very excited and very happy. To give our coach a farewell like this, it’s been wonderful. I’ve had a good relationship with him.”
The T20 World Cup triumph eradicates India’s heartbreaking loss against Australia in the ODI World Cup final.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s wait to lift the trophy for the first time continues.
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